The pyrolysis of n-propyl pyrene-1-carboxylate, a model ester for poly(ethylene terephthalate), has been studied using pyrolysis mass spectrometry. The major mode of decomposition has been identified as the formation of propylene and pyrene-1-carboxylic acid as a result of a cyclic intramolecular rearrangement. When phosphorus or bromine containing compounds are blended with the model ester, no significant changes are observed in the kinetics of the overall pyrolysis, while relatively small changes are observed in the mode of decomposition with the phosphorus compound. The results suggest that the role played by phosphorus and bromine in flame-retarding polyesters is predominately restricted to the gas phase.
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Day et al. (1980) studied this question.